Just thought we should mention that we recently welcomed a new member of the family.
On Friday the 14th at 5:57pm, Clara Kenley Petersik was born with a paint brush in her hand weighing in at 7 lbs 10 oz and measuring 20.5 inches long. We’re insanely in love with her. And she and Burger are already best buddies. Seriously, he thinks it’s his job to stand guard next to her at all times.
Clara was named after John’s grandmother on his dad’s side. And her middle name, Kenley, is an homage to my dad (Ken) with John’s mom’s maiden name worked in there (Kelley) along with a reference to my great aunt on my mom’s side named Lee. Gotta love rooms and names that multitask.
We’re all home from the hospital and happily settling back into life here at Casa Petersik (there’s nothing like a four day hospital stint to make you miss your house like crazy). Yes, we actually had an extended stay due to a pretty terrifying scare during Clara’s birth (an unexpected placental abruption paired with an umbilical cord prolapse had a slew of wonderful doctors and nurses performing an emergency c-section in under three minutes to ensure that Clara was a-ok). But although her delivery was anything but restful, we’re both over the moon that she’s 100% healthy and 1000% adorable (not that we’re biased or anything).
And now that we’re all back home, Clara really seems to be enjoying her new surroundings. In short: we feel like two of the luckiest people in the world. And we’re so thankful to be able to share this amazing time in our lives with such wonderful readers. Thank you all for the well wishes that you’ve passed along throughout our big journey to parenthood. We can’t wait to detail all the ways that our house grows and changes to accommodate a little person and we promise to share all the organization, storage, and simple living tips that we pick up along the way (while tackling even more DIY adventures and cheap-o room makeovers of course).
But now back to our regularly scheduled blogging. We have an awesome house tour to share, so stay tuned…
Psst- We’ll also be announcing the random winner of the big baby pool (and a $100 West Elm gift card) tomorrow, so stick around.
Jacquelyn says
A sincere congratulations to you both! That part about Burger protecting her is adorable. She looks lovely!
Stephanie says
Congratulations! She’s so beautiful! My little 2 1/2 year old son stood by my elbow as I was scrolling through your post, and he said, “Oooh, Mommy, that’s a pretty baby!” and I concur. :)
Cheryl P. says
Congratulations! She is beyond adorable!
Katie says
Those EYES are nothing short of gorgeous! She’s such a little angel, congratulations you guys!!! Glad to hear Sherry and Clara are doing well, Sherry hopefully you’re healing well! All of us over on facebook suspected something was up with how quiet you all were over the weekend, and then John’s mention of ‘getting lots done’ pushed us all in the right direction :). Will you be posting her birth story on your blog {what you were up to when you went into labor and how it all went down, did you have to use those mattress protectors you bought? :)} {Totally understand if it’s something you’re going to keep to the close people in your life…rather than the whole world!}
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Katie,
The whole birth story can be summarized right here for you:
I noticed on Friday morning that I was having some pretty intense contractions and by the time I started timing them they were four minutes apart. I called John who was out to lunch with all of his advertising coworkers to celebrate his last day and told him to get home fast! By the time we got to the hospital my contractions were already two minutes apart and they sent me straight into labor and delivery. As we waited for the doctor to arrive and check my progress (I was already 3.5 cm dilated and 80% effaced at my last appointment) my water broke in the hospital bed- but instead of being clear it was bright red. So much blood. Very scary.
Immediately the room filled with frenzied nurses and doctors and they explained that I was having a placental abruption, which happens when the placenta inexplicably detaches from the uterine wall before the baby is born. This is extremely dangerous for the baby (since they get their oxygen/nourishment from the placenta) and the mother can hemorrhage so it’s a pretty dire situation all around. Within about a minute they had me in the OR and within three minutes they had my sweet baby out thanks to an emergency c-section. They saved her life by acting so fast.
Once they got in there they saw that not only was she in distress from the placental abruption, but the umbilical cord had somehow gotten pinched below her head when my water broke so she was struggling to get oxygen from that as well. Basically it was the scariest day of our life, but we are SO THANKFUL that the doctors and nurses worked so quickly to come to our rescue. We feel so blessed to be home together enjoying each others company! And John even got to be in the OR (in full body scrubs of course) since they worked fast enough to be sure he was there to hold my hand. Thank goodness. I couldn’t have done it without him.
The recovery is cake compared to the scare she gave us. We’re practically floating on air because other nurses and doctors in the hospital dropped in to see us for days just to tell us how lucky we were (they heard our story and were so glad that it had a happy ending). But no one is more glad than we are! So that’s the story of the scariest/best day of our lives. Whew.
xo,
s
Morgan says
Congratulations you two!! How wonderful and exciting!
Susan Morgan says
Awwww she’s so pretty!!!! I’m so happy for you both. Hope your doing well Sherry. Goodluck with parenthood. I know you both with be great!!!
Misty says
What a beaut! Congrats Youngsters! I too had a C-sect and am happy that everything turned out well for you! She will be the most creative baby on the block with ‘rents like you guys! =) enjoy!
Carrie says
CONGRATS! She’s absolutely beautiful (as is her name…well done!). So glad everyone is home and healthy now.
Vivian says
Had to unlurk to say Congrats! She is beautiful, enjoy every moment!
Julie says
Congratulations, you guys! Clara is beautiful, and I love the name. I can’t believe how alert she looks in that top photo! I’m happy to hear everyone is doing well. Continue to rest, Sherry — all your painting and DIYing will be there when you’re able!
Sarah says
Congratulations!! Clara is just beautiful… the best accessory to date :)
Jenny @ DIY Newlyweds says
Congratulations on your new arrival! Best, best wishes for your new family. Clara is beautiful and her name is lovely. So happy to hear everyone is doing well. I’m already looking forward to seeing more posts about her :-)
Virginia says
May your family be blessed with health, love and happiness. (as well as gorgeous paint colours)
Best wishes to all 4 of you!
bindc says
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Take care of yourselves and enjoy this time. I goes by sooo quickly.
Sherri says
Congratulations! She’s beautiful and I’m sure you’re settling in well in your new roles as parents!
Caitie says
Awww Congrats you two!! She is sooo cute! :)
Lori says
Congratulations! Clara is beautiful!
julie says
Oh my gosh, she is beautiful!!! Congratulations to you both on what will be life’s greatest and most rewarding adventure.
Julie says
(Oh, and way to try and throw us off by mentioning not going to the farmer’s market this weekend…)
Random reader says
Just one of your loyal and random blog readers also expecting a baby in the next few weeks. It’s been a joy to see your preparations for baby at the same time that I was going through this. Congratulations on the birth of your daughter!
Katelyn Likes This says
Congratulations! She’s absolutely beautiful!
Kate says
Clara is absolutely adorable!!!! Love her name. Congratulations!
Hannah @ The Nanner Republic says
What a beauitful gift from God! She is adorable. I’m so happy for your family!
catherine says
congrats!!!! she is just perfect :) glad to hear everyone is doing great!
Randi says
Congrats she is abosolutely beautiful!
Coasting anon says
I am assuming you won’t have time to read all the bazillions of comments you will get, but just in case you do read them I share not only my congrats but a little bit of unsolicited information to desperately try and tell you that in the BLINK of an eye, she will be toddling around and your world will be rocked once again.
Coasting anon – mother to Little G, born 07-08-09 and already not a baby anymore.
Ellen says
Congratulations!
Dusty says
Congratulations on your newest addition! She is a doll and Burger looks like a proud big brother! :)
Amber Martin says
Congratulations John, Sherry and Burger! Clara is beautiful and looks happy! Enjoy your newest family member!
Stefanie says
Congratulations! She’s beautiful. If I say anymore and I might cry…which would be embarassing work…
Best wishes!
CaitStClair says
Congratulations! She is absolutely beautiful (and I’m completely unrelated!) and I really love her name.
I hope everyone recovers quickly! So happy for you!
Erin says
Congratulations!!! She is just absolutely beautiful!!
Meaghan says
Congratulations YHL’s on your new addition!! She is so cute!
Jennae @ Green Your Decor says
She is absolutely adorable, and I wish you all the best! I’m thrilled to hear that you’re all doing well. Clara should know she has the best possible parents :)
Heather says
Congratulations, she’s beautiful!!
Abby says
Congratulations! She is just beautiful! I’m so happy to see that you are doing well. Burger looks like the proudest big brother in that picture! Cheers!
xoxo Abby
Sophie says
Congratulations!
Clara is so beautiful and I love her name (:
When you two hadn’t been blogging for a few days, I had a sixth sense moment and just kind of knew that you were in the hospital.
You two made one gorgeous little girl
Holly says
oh i’m SO excited for you guys!!!! I got chill bumps reading this… i’m pretty sure my mouth dropped open when i saw her picture and realized that she’s finally here. Congrats to both of you, she is precious!! Looking forward to hearing about and seeing more of little Clara!
Trisho says
She’s such a cutie! Congratulations! :)
Tonia says
Congratulations to you guys. Funny, how Burger is already standing guard. I love how you put her name together too.
kristy says
She’s a beauty! And, I love the name :) Family names are so special!
Holly says
Congratulations! She is so beautiful! This is really a fun time in your life. I am so smitten with my little baby and he’s almost 7!
I had a feeling you guys were up to something behind the scenes!
Stephanie says
She is beautiful! So glad she is here and healthy! Congrats!
jung a says
congrats!
Lisa T says
Congratulations!! Clara is beautiful, and I love her name!
April in CT says
Oh so beautiful! What a cutie patootie!!!
Courtney says
Congratulations!! Enjoy these new moments with Clara!
Claudia says
Congratulations guys, enjoy these first few days – they go by quickly! Take it easy, S, as a fellow c-section mom I recommend lots of rest and let Burger help out :D
Jenny says
Congratulations! I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long! Welcome beautiful Clara to the world <3
Jaye says
I feel like the last person to know! Congratulations! What a blessed event! And no, you’re not biased, she is totally beautiful! Gee, I’m not a Mom (and I’m not really into babies), but this is so great because we all feel as if we know you so well. Glad that you girls are both healthy and home! And just so you know, girls do cost more! He, he!